Council Candidate Robert Hofacker Takes on Vote for Parsippany Ticket

Much of the attention in Tuesday's Town Council primary election is focused on the Republican battle between the incumbents and challengers Paul Carifi Jr. and Robert Crawford.

There is, however, a contest on the Democratic side as well. Rainbow Lakes resident Robert Hofacker is running against the Vote for Parsippany ticket featuring Annelise Catanzaro, Janice McCarthy and Tom Wyka.

Retired after 30 years at Alcatel-Lucent, Hofacker earned his political stripes serving on the Denville Chamber of Commerce Board. He is president of the New Outlook Pioneers of Morris County, vice president of the Denville Pride Committee and has been a program advisory council member for the Morris County School of Technology.

"I am running to increase the level of engagement and motivation in the town and to build a stronger relationship between the communities of Parsippany," he said. "There should be a councilman from Rainbow Lakes."

Hofacker said he wants to bring a new atmosphere and new ideas to the Township Council. 

"If elected, I will create a foundation for property tax relief and also look into single-line recycling for Parsippany and Morris County," he said. Single-line recycling is a process wherein recyclable items are co-mingled rather than kept separate, picked up in one truck and sorted at a recycling plant. "This would be a way to save taxpayer dollars."

Hofacker said lowering property taxes and municipal expenses is crucial to improving life in Parsippany for all of its residents, including senior citizens.

"If we lower property taxes, seniors will be able to stay in their own homes. More houses will be built and sold. Jobs will be created. That's the whole key—bring down property taxes and everything starts moving," he explained. "Other challenges I see in the coming years are the budget, employee wages and health insurance premiums and pension obligations. We have to cut costs."

The candidate points to transparency as another major issue facing the council. 

"The government has got to be more transparent," he said. "The people have a right to know what their officials are doing and why they're doing it."